The golden opportunity has been identified by leading peer-to-peer and motorhome-sharing community, Camplify UK, whose analysts compared its own bookings data with Google search volumes and fleet saturation in locations across the country.
According to the data, campervan owners in the county have one of the biggest opportunity to capitalise on the growing trend of van hire in the UK, and earn a substantial side income by taking one simple step: listing their vehicle on its platform.
The insights show that the West Midlands is the third most sought-after starting point for a road trip in the UK on its platform, coming at a time that searches[1] for van hire are surging – increasing by +20% over the last couple of weeks alone. As demand exceeds the current supply of vans for hire across the county, renting out your vehicle when you’re not on the road could reap huge rewards.
“Our insights highlight the opportunity van owners in the West Midlands have to make an extra bit of cash this summer” said Tom Quayle, Customer Success Manager at Camplify UK.
"With the surge in demand for van hires coming just as holidaymakers plan their summer escapes, now is the perfect time for owners to unlock their van's earning potential and join our thriving community of 'van-trepreneurs' that make excellent returns on renting out their vehicle when it would otherwise be parked on the driveway. Many of our owners use the money they make to fund their own holidays, so it’s a win-win situation."
Thousands of van owners across the country are already taking advantage of the earning potential that partnering with Camplify UK offers. Take, for example, Anna and Sergio, parents from Croydon who have turned their passion for Van Life into a venture that brings in £30k – money they use to fund their own travels with their five-year-old son.
[L-R]: Anna & Sergio with their son / one of their motorhomes listed on Camplify UK
Initially listing their campervan for hire when they weren’t using it themselves, their side-hustle went from strength-to-strength in a very short space of time, leading them to transform two more vans that are also listed on the platform – with each one earning £8k - £10k a year.
Speaking on her success, Mum Anna, said: “We wanted to go on a wild adventure, so we decided to buy a motorhome. My husband put the work in to sort out the mechanics in the campervan while I did the interior, and once we started using it suddenly our friends were asking if they could borrow it for their own trips. We quickly realised there was an opportunity to rent it out!
“We make around £8,000 - £10,000 a year from each of our three vans on the Camplify platform. I used to work in the hotel business and this gives me a platform to recreate that – I absolutely love it, and it offers families a cheaper way to move around and see some of the most beautiful places in the country. Renting it out makes a lot of sense for parents like us.”
The Camplify UK platform offers a hassle-free way for owners to connect with holidaymakers seeking unique camping experiences, with many earning more than £10,000 in their first year on the platform, and some upwards of £50,000 per year. By listing their vans on Camplify, owners not only generate a significant side hustle income but also contribute to making 'van life' accessible to all.
To learn more about how to turn your van into a lucrative asset and start your van life journey, visit camplify.co.uk.